After a lengthy trial period the 100th Coventry Muslim Scout Group was firmly established in the heart of the city on Sunday.

Children from the Foleshill area arrived at the Muslim Resource Centre in Red Lane for their fortnightly scout activities – which have proved to be a popular attraction for many of the younger local residents.

The group – the first of its kind in the city – offers Muslim children aged six to 14 the opportunity to take part in camping trips and try their hand at activities such as abseiling and climbing.

One of the Scout leaders Mohammed Saleem said the launch of the group gave the local Asian community an opportunity to take part in outdoors activities which they had not experienced before.

He added: “Scout groups have always been seen as a white, middle-class organisation in Britain, which is simply not the case. The 100th Coventry Muslim Scout Group taps into the Muslim community to make them realise that Scout groups are for them also.

“This all started with my daughter. She is 11 years old and there were no organisations locally that I would feel comfortable with her joining. I think that a lot of parents would feel protective towards their young daughter going away on camping trips alone.

“The Scout group means she now has the opportunity to take part in activities that were previously denied to her. Muslim children now have the chance to learn more about the outdoors and nature.”

The Coventry Scout Group’s recruitment team recognised a need for a Muslim group early last year, and set about organising the group on a trial basis to see how well people in the local community responded to the activities.

Simon Daley, a spokesman for the Scout group, added: “The group is still quite small at the moment but it is certainly growing in numbers and the more people who hear about it, the more we expect to join.

“What is good about the 100th Coventry Muslim Scout Group is that it is faith-based and works around all of their religious festivals. It also gives young Muslim children the chance to take part in activities that they haven’t experienced before.”

Nine-year-old Mustafa Rehnam and his 12-year-old sister Zakiyah have been coming to the Scout group since it started.

Zakiyah said: “It is really good because it gives me the opportunity to make new friends.

“We went camping last year and it was fantastic. We did activities such as abseiling and archery.”

The group will be hosting an open day on Sunday, March 8, from 10.30am at the Muslim Resource Centre, for anyone who is interested in joining.